plate no. 4256

Portrait of Anna Pavlova

Alexandre Jacovleff, 1915

oilNeoclassicismportraitfigureballerinatutuarchitectureportraitstairs

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering delicate fabrics. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the figure, the tutu, and the architectural background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin refining the figure's features, paying attention to proportions and subtle details.
step 04
Develop the tutu, using layers of thin paint to create the illusion of transparency and volume.
step 05
Add details to the architectural background, focusing on perspective and light.
step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the ballerina's hair and jewelry.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall mood.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Achieve the subtle grays and creams by mixing white with small amounts of black, umber, and yellow ochre. Use thin glazes of alizarin crimson to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques